'American Idol' star to stay despite violent past

American Idol finalist Scott Savol will remain on the show despite revelations about his past.

The Smoking Gun website reported last week that Savol, 28, accepted a disorderly conduct misdemeanour plea in 2001. The charge came after an incident in which he apparently threatened the mother of his son and threw a phone at her, causing it to break.

At the time he was given a $500 fine, placed on a year's probation and given a 20-day suspended prison sentence. He was also sent to anger management classes.

Owing to the fact that Savol came clean about his past, however, FOX have decided not to boot him from the competition. In 2003, finalist Corey Clark was ditched after failing to mention he was facing battery charges.

"Scott Savol was forthcoming to the American Idol producers and the network regarding his misdemeanour," said a statement. "After reviewing the facts, in which the charges were reduced to Disorderly Conduct, we felt that considering Scott's honesty and his remorse, the situation did not warrant his disqualification."

Whether the viewers will be equally as forgiving when voting resumes this week remains to be seen.